October 31 protests, USA News (France): In several cities across France on Saturday morning, October 31, demonstrators took to the streets—such as in Pau—for the third consecutive Saturday of a mobilization that continues to include the students who originally launched the movement. One participant stated they had received promises, but what they want now are actions. Similar scenes unfolded in Valenciennes and Perpignan, where many denounced the government’s lack of response to demands that have broadened over the past several weeks. A demonstrator explained that there is no budget in anything, including the environment, culture, and agriculture, noting that everyone shares the same problems.
In Paris, the march was scheduled to start at 2 p.m. from Porte de Bagnolet to Porte de Charenton. This peripheral route requested by the police prefecture was validated by the Council of State, whereas the administrative court had previously ruled in favor of the organizers. While the CGT urged participants to respect the route, a demonstrator accepted it reluctantly, noting that visibility is greater in the center, but if it is reduced on the periphery, participants must turn out in larger numbers, make noise along the route, and demonstrate their presence and message.
Trader Anxieties and Heavy Security Deployment
In Marseille, certain merchants expressed fear of violence during the day as authorities warned of potential disguised troublemakers taking advantage of Halloween. In some streets, shops were covered with wooden panels, a sight that saddened pedestrians who remarked that a main street lacks life even as Christmas decorations begin to appear. In Bordeaux, where the march route was authorized in the city center, some stores also took protective measures. The manager of a bar expressed concern about the end of the day when the procession disperses, stating that things become unmanageable from 5 p.m., forcing them to fold up terraces, operate in a restricted mode, and bring people inside due to widespread tear gas.
Across all of France, 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were mobilized throughout the day to oversee the demonstrations.
